R500 Duratec's sold - why?
Discussion
Hello everyone, my 1st post on PH.
I'm intending to buy a Caterham next year and looking at the options.
There have been several r500 duratecs sold recently by CC's with another couple advertised at the moment. These are very low mileage and generally under a year old. Would any previous owners or current owners or those who have knowledge care to comment on that? Is it that the r500 is just too extreme for road use? Is it reliability? Some other reason? Not wanting to pry but I'd be interested to know.
Posted same Q on Blatchat as well.
Thanks,
Mark.
I'm intending to buy a Caterham next year and looking at the options.
There have been several r500 duratecs sold recently by CC's with another couple advertised at the moment. These are very low mileage and generally under a year old. Would any previous owners or current owners or those who have knowledge care to comment on that? Is it that the r500 is just too extreme for road use? Is it reliability? Some other reason? Not wanting to pry but I'd be interested to know.
Posted same Q on Blatchat as well.
Thanks,
Mark.
The R500, Top Gear car of the year has been a status symbol, bought by the kind of people with £40k-£50k burning a hole that would normally buy a soft squishy Porsche, Ferrari, Merc, BMW etc. Clearly this car will prove rather too extreme and not nearly as everyday usable as the cars these kind of people are used to. The novelty will wear thin fairly quickly, they'll scare themselves silly and get rid after a relatively short period of time...
I don't doubt you are right that some of the people who bought R500's may fall into that category - latest toy etc.
I was hoping to get owners/ ex owners comments about their experiences. In my case theres no money burning a hole, I have to work bloody hard for it, hence I do my homework before buying by asking questions like the above on this thread. I'm considering either an R300 duratec or an R500 duratec next year. Other than the odd comment about things like excess noise from r500's failing the trackday limit, theres little in print about either car.
None of the magazines have run a duratec as a long term car and I haven't seen a proper road test of either.
I was hoping to get owners/ ex owners comments about their experiences. In my case theres no money burning a hole, I have to work bloody hard for it, hence I do my homework before buying by asking questions like the above on this thread. I'm considering either an R300 duratec or an R500 duratec next year. Other than the odd comment about things like excess noise from r500's failing the trackday limit, theres little in print about either car.
None of the magazines have run a duratec as a long term car and I haven't seen a proper road test of either.
There's been some issues with things including the sequential gearbox and heat generated from the engine. Trouble is that teething problems are usual for a high spec newly developed caterham. People in the 40k+ toy market aren't going to be able to deal with the caterham experience!
Also people in the 40k+ toy market will compare it to the porky (997s or 996 GT3) they can get for that money. A duratec R500 is a very very specific experience. Also people see the seq box as being an inescapable part of the R500. That just adds to the extremeness of it. As it's a bee in my bonnet, I'll repeat myself (again!).
People will drive a low spec (say 150 bhp) caterham and think is it just utterly fantastic. The rich car toy buyer just goes to the top of the range (as you would). They buy an R500 and go "oh s
t, what do I do with this?".
Bert
Also people in the 40k+ toy market will compare it to the porky (997s or 996 GT3) they can get for that money. A duratec R500 is a very very specific experience. Also people see the seq box as being an inescapable part of the R500. That just adds to the extremeness of it. As it's a bee in my bonnet, I'll repeat myself (again!).
People will drive a low spec (say 150 bhp) caterham and think is it just utterly fantastic. The rich car toy buyer just goes to the top of the range (as you would). They buy an R500 and go "oh s
t, what do I do with this?".Bert
BertBert said:
There's been some issues with things including the sequential gearbox and heat generated from the engine.
Bert
CC have removed the seq box from the options list for the R500 looking at the list I downloaded 2 weeks ago. Wonder if thats permanent?Bert
The engine heat issue seems to be common on various Caterhams (worse on the R500?) a couple of threads discuss it with various solutions suggested. Article about this problem in current kit car magazine.
A fair point you make Bert about teething problems on a new car (and as we all know this is common to all manufacturers - not just Caterham) minor issues wouldn't put me off buying a car, I'm just learning as much as possible so I can make the best choice.
Mark.
Are you looking to use the car on the road or track.
If road i would always go with the 300D, super torquey and rapid but then TBH i think a roadsport is great fun on the road with only 120hp.
If your hellbent on buyng a 500, then get it to a pro race team to set up for you and then some track tuition....you will not regrett it. Plenty of recomendations, fauldsport, Spy motorsport, team Parker, DPR. For tuition loook to simonmason.com
You say you have asked the same question on BC, beware the responses. Most of them have no idea.
Best of luck.
J
If road i would always go with the 300D, super torquey and rapid but then TBH i think a roadsport is great fun on the road with only 120hp.
If your hellbent on buyng a 500, then get it to a pro race team to set up for you and then some track tuition....you will not regrett it. Plenty of recomendations, fauldsport, Spy motorsport, team Parker, DPR. For tuition loook to simonmason.com
You say you have asked the same question on BC, beware the responses. Most of them have no idea.
Best of luck.
J
I'll be buying a car primarily for road use. I couldn't argue with what you and others say about the R300 being better suited to road driving but I reckon most people reading this will understand about the pleasant temptation to buy something with totally outrageous performance which, on the right day and on the right road, would be simply brilliant.
I know the practical limitations with Caterhams and that doesn't put me off one bit. I'm lucky enough to live in a rural part of Durham with some fantastic quiet roads. I may well be 'sensible' and buy an R300 but on the other hand...
Seriously though, good advice, thanks.
Mark
I know the practical limitations with Caterhams and that doesn't put me off one bit. I'm lucky enough to live in a rural part of Durham with some fantastic quiet roads. I may well be 'sensible' and buy an R300 but on the other hand...
Seriously though, good advice, thanks.
Mark
sfaulds said:
Do you ask a bunch of strangers which shoes you should buy? If not, why the hell would you trust them with £30+k of car?
Shoes don't interest me, cars do. It's not a matter of trust but in my experience it's good practice to start by speaking to those who own or have driven a certain type of car and go on from there. Go in with your eyes open etcEdited by sfaulds on Sunday 20th June 23:21
I'll just add my thoughts and experience to this thread.
Although not with quite the same monies involved I did put 30,000k into a new R400 a few years back.
I'm not a "rich kid" although obviously it was a toy.......I've also had 7's most of my life so knew the score. I had to sell two cars,some prized possessions, the family jewells and a kidney to buy it bear in mind
.I only kept it a year or so too, the reasons being...............
1) On delivery (factory built) it had an issue I was not happy with and unlike being a mondeo that you can take 5 miles back to the dealer needed many long winded calls/heated discussions to the factory to explain the problem, culminating in it being transported back.
It took a while for the issues to be sorted and many sleepless nights, although at the end of the day Caterham came good and presented me with a "stunner" some months later..........they sorted everything out but it does take the shine off things somewhat.........so a problem with a 40,000k car I'd imagine would leave owners feeling the same......and it's hard to get rid of the taste, believe me.
2) Usage v depreciation?..........When I got the car back the nights were closing and the first gritter had been spotted
. I did not want a car with 100 miles on the clock subjected to that, so it was used on a couple of crisp but clean Sunday mornings only for the first 7 months of ownership....again a big dissapointment.
The Summer came and again weather was crap. Now I know people were telling me "It's a car you tart....use it, that's what it's for" but it's OK for them to say that.....I was starting to wish I had my old one back I'd chopped in for some stress free blatting.
I bit the bullet and after a bottle of vino one night stuck it on BC for 26k "to see how it goes" and it sold within 2 days......decision made, I was out of it, albeit with mixed feelings. I no longer had the carbon clad missile in the garage for people to go "ooooh, aaahhh" at but I'd had the experience of owning it and got most of my cash back. It had just 1,100 miles on the clock
Never been there again, I currently have an "old school" HPC evo which I've had "tweaked" and also had it on a carbon diet..........it would batter the old car in performance and I don't care what the weathers like (although the car is mint). I just feel comfy with it, plus I've got a TVR sitting next to it, both of them together standing me just two thirds the price of the new "R"
In essence to answer the OPs question I'd guess there's many reasons why these high priced 7s come back on to the market so quickly...........they were mine reasons and relayed with honesty .
Cheers.
Although not with quite the same monies involved I did put 30,000k into a new R400 a few years back.
I'm not a "rich kid" although obviously it was a toy.......I've also had 7's most of my life so knew the score. I had to sell two cars,some prized possessions, the family jewells and a kidney to buy it bear in mind
.I only kept it a year or so too, the reasons being...............1) On delivery (factory built) it had an issue I was not happy with and unlike being a mondeo that you can take 5 miles back to the dealer needed many long winded calls/heated discussions to the factory to explain the problem, culminating in it being transported back.
It took a while for the issues to be sorted and many sleepless nights, although at the end of the day Caterham came good and presented me with a "stunner" some months later..........they sorted everything out but it does take the shine off things somewhat.........so a problem with a 40,000k car I'd imagine would leave owners feeling the same......and it's hard to get rid of the taste, believe me.
2) Usage v depreciation?..........When I got the car back the nights were closing and the first gritter had been spotted
. I did not want a car with 100 miles on the clock subjected to that, so it was used on a couple of crisp but clean Sunday mornings only for the first 7 months of ownership....again a big dissapointment.The Summer came and again weather was crap. Now I know people were telling me "It's a car you tart....use it, that's what it's for" but it's OK for them to say that.....I was starting to wish I had my old one back I'd chopped in for some stress free blatting.
I bit the bullet and after a bottle of vino one night stuck it on BC for 26k "to see how it goes" and it sold within 2 days......decision made, I was out of it, albeit with mixed feelings. I no longer had the carbon clad missile in the garage for people to go "ooooh, aaahhh" at but I'd had the experience of owning it and got most of my cash back. It had just 1,100 miles on the clock
Never been there again, I currently have an "old school" HPC evo which I've had "tweaked" and also had it on a carbon diet..........it would batter the old car in performance and I don't care what the weathers like (although the car is mint). I just feel comfy with it, plus I've got a TVR sitting next to it, both of them together standing me just two thirds the price of the new "R"
In essence to answer the OPs question I'd guess there's many reasons why these high priced 7s come back on to the market so quickly...........they were mine reasons and relayed with honesty .
Cheers.
Hello Kenny,
very interesting reading, thanks for taking the time. One of the main points I got out of your post was that Caterham sorted whatever issues you had and listened to what you told them.
Info like that helps people like me who are looking to buy at 7 for the 1st time.
Cheers,
Mark
very interesting reading, thanks for taking the time. One of the main points I got out of your post was that Caterham sorted whatever issues you had and listened to what you told them.
Info like that helps people like me who are looking to buy at 7 for the 1st time.
Cheers,
Mark
Pleasure Mark and good luck with the ambition. One other thing I'd add, and it's only in my opinion but I've seen a lot of replies on your two postings referring to the R500 as a shock and hard to get along with. Mine went back to minister for a serious upgrade in the time I had it and was truly a very, very fast car. It was not an issue on the road as your right foot determines what the car does, the car could be a pussycat if it wanted or change into an F3000 if provoked
The only 7 I've ever driven that for me could be an issue on the road was a little Fireblade I drove, don't get me wrong I loved it and would probably still buy one, but you had to keep it in the right gear at sensible/slow speeds, trying to crawl through a town centre at 25mph in anything other than 2nd had the complete drive train banging and rattling...........let the car rip and everything tightened up.
The R suffered with that symptom a tad but nothing too extreme.
The TVR I bought last week with over 300bhp, now that would bite you if you take the p1ss out of it, you get the feeling if it does go then it will go big time, whereas I always feel in the 7 you can lift,back off,power on, brake and stop without any trauma once you know the car, it responds in a flash.
Where are you based?, if anywhere near Lancs come and have a drive.
The only 7 I've ever driven that for me could be an issue on the road was a little Fireblade I drove, don't get me wrong I loved it and would probably still buy one, but you had to keep it in the right gear at sensible/slow speeds, trying to crawl through a town centre at 25mph in anything other than 2nd had the complete drive train banging and rattling...........let the car rip and everything tightened up.
The R suffered with that symptom a tad but nothing too extreme.
The TVR I bought last week with over 300bhp, now that would bite you if you take the p1ss out of it, you get the feeling if it does go then it will go big time, whereas I always feel in the 7 you can lift,back off,power on, brake and stop without any trauma once you know the car, it responds in a flash.
Where are you based?, if anywhere near Lancs come and have a drive.
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